C.A.R.L.’s Pooch Parade Returns to Ventura Harbor Village

Animal welfare non-profit Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) will welcome canine superheroes and their owners to the 2023 Pooch Parade Dog Walk and Pet Expo on Sunday, September 24, at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura on the grassy area. The expo starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. with the Parade starting at 11:45 a.m. 

With this year’s theme of “Superheroes,” participants will have opportunities to dress themselves and their dogs up as their favorite fictional comic book character. Canine contestants will be eligible for ribbons, prizes and a grand award going to the “Top Dog” of the Pooch Parade. The event will feature an emcee, Ken Vela, who served as emcee at the 2018 and 2019 Pooch Parades, vendors, a silent auction and a Frisbee demonstration with dogs. Major sponsors include Ohana Pet Hospital with offices in Ventura and Santa Paula and Boone Graphics in Goleta. 

“We look forward again to welcoming canine aficionados from near and far,” said C.A.R.L. President Grace Cunningham. “Although Hurricane Hilary prevented us from hosting the Pooch Parade last month, we knew we had to reschedule it to support our adoptable dogs housed at our pet care center in Santa Paula.”

Cost to participate in the Pooch Parade costume contest is $50 for an individual walker with dog(s) and $180 for a four-person team and $40 per person over four team members with dog(s). Booth participation costs are $50 for a non-profit vendor booth and $100 for a regular vendor booth. Contact Sharon Clark at [email protected] to inquire about sponsorships.

Visiting pooches not participating in the Parade can enter other separate, fun contests and are eligible for ribbon awards. 

Additional activities include:

• A silent auction to benefit C.A.R.L.
• Rubber ducks in pools
• Musical chairs for dogs
• And a Frisbee demonstration

The parade was initially scheduled to occur on August 20, 2023, but potential flash flooding and high wind at Ventura Harbor from Hurricane Hilary prompted C.A.R.L. to reschedule the event to a later date. C.A.R.L. hosted its last Pooch Parade in 2019; activities were halted over the past four years due to the pandemic.